U.S. Congress subpoenas thousands of Toyota safety documents

Today, Congress subpoenaed thousands of documents that are alleged to show Toyota has been hiding and destroying important safety evidence for years.

Dimitrios Biller, who worked in Toyota’s legal department from 2003 to 2007, was served with the subpoena requesting nearly 6,000 documents.

For the past few years, the former Toyota employee has reportedly attempted to make these documents public knowledge. His efforts, however, were allegedly shut down by Toyota.

The automaker has maintained the release of these documents would violate a severance agreement made with Biller when he left the company.

Toyota has also attempted to discredit Biller, claiming he is merely a discontent former employee who is trying to get revenge by making false allegations.

According to the L.A.Times, the subpoena requests "all documents in possession, custody, or control of Dimitrios P. Biller relating to vehicle safety and Toyota's handling of alleged motor vehicle safety and Toyota's handling of alleged motor vehicle defects and related litigation" be turned over by 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, two days before the Feb. 25 hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

It is still unclear what effect these documents will have on previous personal injury cases brought against Toyota if they prove conclusive.